Drinking and Your Health: Understanding the Risks and Effects

Drinking too much alcohol can be harmful to your health. It’s important to understand the effects of alcohol, especially for individuals who may be drinking too much. Here are some examples of the specific ways alcohol can have a negative impact on your health.

Alcohol-Related Health Conditions

Researchers have linked drinking with numerous health problems, including more than 200 diseases and injury-related conditions. This is true for even mild drinking, studies have shown that even just one drink a day increases the risk of breast cancer in women. 

Research has also linked alcohol use to increases in the risk for liver disease, dementia, cardiovascular diseases, depression, stomach bleeding, and cancers of the oral cavity, esophagus, larynx, pharynx, liver, colon, and rectum. Heavy drinkers may also have problems managing other conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, and sleep disorders. 

Individuals under the influence of alcohol are  also more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behavior, putting themselves and others at risk for sexually transmitted illnesses and unintended pregnancies.

Increased Risk of Injuries

Drinking alcohol increases the risks associated with nearly everything you do, raising the odds that you or someone else could be injured or even killed. According to the National Institutes of Health, Alcohol is a factor in: 

• About 60 percent of fatal burn injuries, drownings, and homicides
• About 50 percent of severe trauma injuries and sexual assaults
• About 40 percent of fatal motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and fatal falls

Drinking alcohol makes many situations more dangerous than they would be otherwise.

Birth Defects Linked to Drinking During Pregnancy

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy poses devastating risks to your baby. If you consume alcohol during pregnancy, your baby can suffer serious medical conditions, including physical disabilities and brain damage. You may have heard of this referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders or FASD. FASD can result in lifelong physical, cognitive and behavioral problems for the unborn baby. 

The more a pregnant woman drinks during pregnancy, the greater the risk to the baby, there is no amount of alcohol consumption during pregnancy that is known to be 100-percent safe. This is why experts urge women who are pregnant or may become pregnant to not drink at all. If you're pregnant and need help stopping drinking, talk to one of our providers today. They’re experienced in delivering compassionate care to help you reach your goals.

Alcohol Use Disorder

Alcohol use disorder is a medical condition that doctors diagnose when someone's drinking interferes with their daily life. You may know this as the label “alcoholic” but research shows that using person-first language, so “a person with an alcohol use disorder” helps to reduce stigma and separate the individual from their condition. While it can look a little different for everyone, some common signs of alcohol use disorder include:

• Continuing to drink even though your drinking habits are causing trouble with your family or at work
• Drinking more than you planned
• Having to drink more than before to get the desired effect
• Being unable to stop drinking when you decide to
• Continuing to drink even though it makes you feel depressed or anxious

Alcohol use disorder, like all substance use disorders, exists on a spectrum. This means the severity can range from mild, moderate, and severe. This is important to understand to dismantle the idea that people must hit “rock bottom” to get support for their drinking. Instead, like many medical conditions, the earlier you get support, the better. 

If any of these symptoms sound familiar, remember that this is a medical condition, not a moral failure. Confidant providers specialize in helping people manage alcohol use disorder and to reach their goals, whether they’re around moderation or abstaining from drinking altogether. 

Personal Issues Adding to Stress

Beyond these physical and mental health risks, frequent heavy drinking can also contribute to personal problems that compound stress in your life, such as:

• Problems at work or even job loss, which can lead to financial troubles
• Strain in personal relationships
• Loss of a driver's license or legal issues related to a DUI

It's easy to feel as if you've become trapped in a spiral of negative consequences. The good news is help is available. If you meet with a Confidant provider they will conduct an evaluation and create a plan to meet your needs. This might include medications, therapy, coaching, or support groups.